Chris Smith is Elevate Jet’s Chief Pilot for Parts 135 and 121, VVIP Charter, Falcon 7X, Embraer 135 and A320. He has deep experience as a chief pilot, captain, fleet manager, and aviation manager. He has accumulated 14,000 flying hours covering 70 countries. He devoted five years to the U.S. Army and has been a corporate pilot for 23 years, flying a variety of VVIP operators to include Fortune 50, private families, and heads of state.
Chris is a certified Advanced Ground Instructor, Airline Transport Pilot, Type Rating Instructor, and Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic. He has completed 25+ Atlantic crossings, 25+ Pacific crossings, and extensive experience flying in Asia/Pacific. He holds VISAs in China, Russia and Brazil with validations in Papau New Guinea, Bermuda, Isle of Mann, and Cayman Islands and has firmly established relationships with Dassault Falconjet, Flight Crews Unlimited, In Flight Crew Connections, ACASS, Jet Professionals, Executive Jet Management, Corporate Aviators and Solairus Aviation.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and an Associate of Science in Aviation Maintenance from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Diploma in Health/Medical Physics from Aircare International.